Nanoscopic templates from oriented block copolymer films

The cylindrical microdomains of a copolymer film can be used to generate an array of ordered nanoscopic pores with well-controlled size, orientation, and structure. Selective etching procedures and a characterization of samples by a quantitative analysis of the X-ray scattering along with electron and atomic force microscopies are described. The processes are outlined and are shown to be operative over a very large range in sample thickness, ranging from 40 nm up to several micrometers. The resulting nanoporous films are promising candidates as membranes with specific transport properties and as templates for electronic and magnetic nanostructured materials.